High speed speech

“I must have missed some previous contributions relating to high speed speech,” writes Mary Smith, “as it is a subject which brings back many memories, some happier than others.

“I worked as a verbatim reporter, with a speed of 200wpm, from 1945 till 1954 when I married and retired. Living in Herts, I worked in London and began by attending conferences and meetings of big companies, usually held in places like the Ritz, the Dorchester, the Savoy etc.

“I was also sent all over England and even to Geneva and Paris to post-war conferences. On returning home, I became what was known as an Official Shorthandwriter in the Royal Courts of Judicature – a posh-sounding title. Until then, only men had been employed there.

“My firm also covered the north-eastern circuit which meant a few weeks working at the Assizes in Berwick, Newcastle, Durham, York and Leeds. In the courts the transcript did have to be full and accurate. On occasion, we were asked to read back some of the evidence – a nerve-wracking experience”